Lumber sorting line

NPF TECHPROMSERVICE sells its own sorting lines for sawn timber with delivery to all Russian regions. The equipment can be equipped with a centralized control unit. Our specialists provide free advice, select the optimal equipment for specific working conditions, and install the line with commissioning. If necessary, we provide operator training, carry out deliveries of components and spare parts, as well as maintenance, upgrades and/or repairs throughout the life of the equipment.

Designation, technological features

Sorting line for lumber – a bag forming complex that ensures the division of boards by grade and size. It allows sorting both natural moisture content and after pre-drying. The composition of the line is selected taking into account specific application conditions and the customer’s wishes. If necessary, the complex is complemented by a bag forming machine, facing and other equipment. The versatility of the design allows for modernisation and increased productivity even after long periods of use.

Types of sorting lines

• For raw lumber

The key difference between such lines is the lack of a spreader. The boards arrive for sorting as soon as they are sawn. Under high capacity conditions, their design allows two separate sorting lines for central and side boards. A bundling machine is usually provided at the output.

• For dry materials

A spreader is used to dismantle packaged lumber loaded onto the line. After sorting, the boards are fed into the bundle forming machine.

• Combined

A multifunctional complex that processes both raw and dry sawn timber. When a sawmill line is in operation, it is used to sort raw planks. At other times or during night shifts, the line is used to process dry raw materials.

Typical composition of the lumber sorting line

• Packet forming machine. A device that provides automatic forming of boards in several layers. It is possible to align lumber at one or two ends. The finished package is then lifted using special carriages and fed to the conveyor. The loading of the planks into the machine can be manual or mechanised.
• A pocket for storing lumber. This is a chamber where lumber is stored. In the lower part there is a movable platform which lowers as it fills and is driven by a belt or hydraulic drive. The board enters the pocket by means of soft receiving devices that prevent additional damage to the material surface.
• The Rasshatbeler (bag breaker.) is designed to disassemble stacks after the drying chamber or packing, with the material being further fed in line. Its design provides for the option of automatic assembly of drying gaskets.
• Depending on the model, the parting board slide allows manual or automatic feeding of the boards for the most delicate manipulations on the line. The construction consists of two parts – a fixed section for receiving the material and a movable one, which separates the material from the stack/pack.
• A chain conveyor with piece-by-piece delivery of lumber feeds the boards to the sections. It performs longitudinal movement, separating each piece of material separately.
• A transverse lumber bundle conveyor is used to redirect the finished material, accumulate it and form bundles.
• A roller conveyor is a conveyor mechanism consisting of a group of rollers fixed in the frame. It is used to assemble the material into bundles and form even rows.
• Throughfeed trimming is used to process the faces of the boards by pulling material between rotating saw blades. It can perform both clean and rough facing, cutting edges to 90 degrees.

The dispersal conveyor is also used to move timber along the sorting line. Synchronous operation of the equipment is ensured by a control system that continuously scans all processes for deviations from basic parameters.

Automation and productivity

The key feature of the equipment is its high degree of automation and productivity. Modern complexes are capable of operating at a material feed rate of 150 m/min. Different designs can produce more than 200 units of raw material every minute, sorting the central and side boards at the same time.

The high speed of operation makes it impossible to account for and control quality of human resources. Sorting lines for lumber are therefore equipped with machine vision systems. The simplest variants scan the shape of the board, measure its section size, length and record cuts. More complex systems are equipped with additional cameras and sensors to monitor the position of material before processing and packaging.

Security

A set of locking mechanisms and automatic machines interrupting power supply are responsible for safety during operation and protection of equipment against damage.

The system continuously reads data from sensors and monitors any changes in performance. If deviations or irregularities are detected, mechanisms are instantly blocked and/or the power supply is interrupted. This set of actions minimises the probability of an operator being killed and minimises damage in the event of a malfunction.

Experience, resources and professionals allow us to assemble equipment of varying complexity, guaranteeing efficiency and reliability. To ask a specialist a question and order a lumber sorting line, please contact our manager in Vologda.